Sport
Gary Lineker says ‘it’s natural to have conversations’ as MoTD contract comes to an end – & who he wants to replace him
GARY Lineker has said “it’s natural to have conversations” as his Match of the Day contract comes to an end next year.
Lineker also revealed who he wants to replace him as the face of BBC Sport’s flagship show.
He opened up about his MOTD future on this morning’s episode of the Rest is Football podcast.
The star said that he has just started contract talks – and that Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are in a similar boat.
Gary also said Richards was his preferred candidate to replace him in the long run.
He said: “It’s been a strange few days as you know. I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer.
“So it’s natural you have to have conversations. They’ve just started. I don’t know why it’s all spiralled out of control but all is OK.
“I’m more concerned about my cold. I started not feeling well on my way home. Terrible throat.”
Micah replied: “What’s more concerning is I’m 4-1 to replace you!”
Last night Lineker silenced speculation over his MOTD future by opening the show with a joke.
The former England striker, 63, told BBC viewers on Saturday night: “It’s my last show… before the international break.”
Reports in the last few days have been circulating online saying that yesterday could have been his final appearance.
Lineker is understood to be in talks with BBC executives — and sources have told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.
An alleged leaked email also appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for his departure.
But the long-running BBC football highlights show opened up with Lineker making a gag about the rumours around his future.
He said: “Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show…
“Before the international break.”
The clever joke left pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards laughing as Lineker continued on with the show.
An alleged leaked email appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for the former striker’s departure earlier this week.
It was said to have included a draft statement for release when the ex-England ace decides to leave.
The Beeb has refused to call the email a fake and instead said nothing had been agreed.
But the star, 63, is understood to now be in talks with BBC executives over a new Match of the Day deal after sources told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.
The veteran presenter could agree to stay on for £1million a year — £350,000 less than his current mega salary.
He has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenter.
It is believed that Lineker will remain on the show until at least the end of the season.
A source told The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike.
“The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.
“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.
“Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”
Lineker was taken off air last year after his tweet compared the language used to launch a government asylum plan to “that used by Germany in the 30s”.
Pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer boycotted MOTD in solidarity.
Ex-Spurs player Jermaine Jenas, 41, had been reportedly in the running to replace Lineker on the show but was sacked for inappropriately texting two women on The One Show.
The bookies are now predicting that either Mark Chapman or Gabby Logan will be the next faces of the late-night football recap show.
MotD2 host Chapman and Sports Personality of the Year host Logan are both 5/2 to pick up the reins, according to William Hill.
Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards (4/1) and Lionesses legend Alex Scott (5/1) are also in contention.
Other names in the frame include regular pundits Alan Shearer (14/1) and Danny Murphy (25/1).
Sport
Tottenham Hotspur: Johnson form ‘no coincidence’ after deleting Instagram
Wales manager Craig Bellamy recently hailed the former Nottingham Forest man as an “elite” player, adding that Johnson is a “ridiculous talent”.
Earnshaw hopes Johnson can realise his potential to be the “superstar” in the Wales side.
“I’m a big fan of Brennan Johnson, I think he’s brilliant,” added Earnshaw.
“What I really love is that he’s getting a result at the end of his play because sometimes his play is pace, his work-rate is brilliant and there was not that end result in goals in that last action.
“What I’m seeing right now is great finishing, great movement and, yes, I really want to see that in the Wales shirt.
“I think he’s a high-level talent and he needs to find that consistency; right now he’s doing that for Tottenham.
“I think he needs to realise ‘do you know what, I can be the superstar in the Wales team’ and be doing that for club and country.
“I’m happy for him, he’s been on fire, that’s six in six, unbelievable.”
Football
Women’s Premiership: How Cliftonville won back the league title
A criticism of Cliftonville last season when they attempted to retain their title was that they didn’t have the squad capable of challenging on four fronts in comparison to Glentoran’s.
Their frontline players invariably lined out just about in every game they could which appeared to take its toll as they finished second and lost the Irish Cup final against the Glens.
How the tables turned this campaign however, as the Reds have won the league in style, retained the League Cup and are in the Women’s Challenge Cup final later this month against Lisburn Rangers.
They brought in experienced Women’s Premiership players in Erin McAllister and Carla Devine from Linfield as well as Sion Swifts trio Aoibhe O’Neill, Naomi McLaughlin and Tasmin McCartan.
McAllister quickly established herself as Cliftonville’s number one goalkeeper and pulled off a number of good saves throughout the season, whilst Devine has been the perfect impact player off the bench.
She has netted 10 league goals and has provided a more direct option to replace or play alongside Caitlin McGuinness.
O’Neill, McLaughlin and McCartan’s minutes have been limited but they have stepped in and performed well when called upon when Reds manager John McGrady opted to rotate.
None more so than McLaughlin, who despite having an injury-plagued season, scored twice as Cliftonville beat Linfield 5-2 last month.
Sport
ITV rip up schedule to allow broadcast of historic sporting event
ITV have confirmed a major broadcasting change to their coverage of a historic sporting event.
A new two-hour window has been reserved on ITV4 on the night of Saturday, November 2.
Punters will now be able to see City Of Troy’s bid to land the Breeders’ Cup Classic on terrestrial TV.
THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE
The only place to get Templegate’s tips first – and at the best prices – is by joining Sun Racing’s brilliant Members Enclosure.
Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing’s best winning team and get…
- Four free racing tickets, four times a year – worth £300
- Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else
- Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today
- Exclusive insights from Andrew Balding and Hayley Turner
- VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month
- New customer offer with Coral
Become a member today for just £1*
*For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk
The Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte winner will aim to become the first horse ever to land the Epsom feature and American blockbuster.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien recently took the all-conquering colt to Southwell for a workout in front of delighted fans.
And now it is all systems go for Del Mar when he lines up in the feature contest of the two-day Breeders’ Cup.
ITV racing host Ed Chamberlin confirmed the good news – which came after ITV originally said they had been forced to axe coverage owing to a fixture clash.
He said: “Our determination to show you City Of Troy go for Breeders’ Cup glory means the ITV schedulers have had a re-jig.
“On Saturday, November 2 there will now be a two-hour show for you to enjoy.
“There will be three lives races that will include the Breeders’ Cup Turf and City Of Troy’s bid to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“It could be very special, it will be live and free-to-air for you from 8pm that Saturday night.
“I’m delighted to tell you that news.”
The Breeders’ Cup is the world championships of racing and also features a strong British and Irish contingent.
ITV have usually shown both nights in recent years – with Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV will show you live coverage of every single race.
Some of the big names expected to be in action include a mouthwatering clash between 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech and awesome filly Porta Fortuna in the Mile.
While Bradsell will look to continue his amazing comeback season in the Turf Sprint.
Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking could run in the Turf, although she’s favourite for the Filly and Mare Turf as well.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Sport
Hemp reaches 50-goal mark as Man City beat West Ham
Manchester City pick up a comfortable 2-0 Women’s Super League victory at home to West Ham as Lauren Hemp becomes the youngest player to score 50 WSL goals.
Sport
Fans joke Ten Hag has ‘already found a new job’ as Man Utd manager is ‘spotted working as ball boy’ during Villa match
MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.
United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.
JONNY EVANS – 9
Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7
Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.
Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here!
Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.
SUBS
MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.
VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.
ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.
CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.
Football
Gary Lineker says BBC contract talks over Match of the Day have ‘just started’
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has said his negotiations with the BBC over a new contract have “just started”, following speculation about his future.
Last week, the MailOnline reported that BBC bosses may be preparing to announce the 63-year-old’s departure after 25 years.
On the latest episode of his podcast The Rest is Football, posted on Monday, Lineker said: “I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it’s natural at some point that you have to have conversations, and they’ve just started.”
He said he didn’t know why the speculation had “spiralled out of control, but all is OK”, and that “there are bigger problems in the world”.
The former England striker made light of the situation at the start of Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day.
“Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show,” he told viewers, before pausing and adding: “Before the international break.”
The Premier League will take a break this weekend for the latest round of international fixtures.
Lineker joked about his future again on The Rest is Football with co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Shearer told him: “Me and Micah have been worried about you the last few days. Can you tell us anything about your contract?
“It’s like you, [Mo] Salah, [Virgil] Van Dijk and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] are all coming to the end of your contract. What’s going on? Inform us, please.”
Lineker replied: “I think there is one significant difference – Liverpool fans really care about those three.”
He added that it had been “a strange few days”, and that his co-stars are “in a similar predicament”.
“So perhaps you’ll have the Daily Mail on your doorstep tomorrow now that they know that.”
When Richards remarked that he had been given odds of 4-1 to take over, Lineker replied: “Four to one? Blimey. I’d love to see you take over. I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”
“No, I wouldn’t!” Richards laughed.
Shearer jokingly told the former Manchester City defender: “That is a massive concern. I’m not signing my new contract if you’re the presenter, by the way.”
Lineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and is the BBC’s highest-paid star, of those whose salaries are declared, earning more than £1.3m a year.
However, the former footballer has also been involved in controversy at the corporation because of his social media activity.
He was briefly suspended by BBC bosses last year after an outcry over a post about the UK’s asylum policy.
Responding to the speculation about his future on Thursday, a BBC spokesperson said: “We have nothing to announce, and we have not agreed next steps with regard to his contract.
“He is under contract until the end of the season.”
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
3 Day Full Body Women’s Dumbbell Only Workout
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
How to unsnarl a tangle of threads, according to physics
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Hyperelastic gel is one of the stretchiest materials known to science
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Maxwell’s demon charges quantum batteries inside of a quantum computer
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
‘Running of the bulls’ festival crowds move like charged particles
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
How to wrap your mind around the real multiverse
-
News2 weeks ago
Our millionaire neighbour blocks us from using public footpath & screams at us in street.. it’s like living in a WARZONE – WordupNews
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Quantum ‘supersolid’ matter stirred using magnets
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
ITER: Is the world’s biggest fusion experiment dead after new delay to 2035?
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Liquid crystals could improve quantum communication devices
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Quantum forces used to automatically assemble tiny device
-
News3 weeks ago
the pick of new debut fiction
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Physicists are grappling with their own reproducibility crisis
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Why this is a golden age for life to thrive across the universe
-
News3 weeks ago
You’re a Hypocrite, And So Am I
-
Sport3 weeks ago
Joshua vs Dubois: Chris Eubank Jr says ‘AJ’ could beat Tyson Fury and any other heavyweight in the world
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Time travel sci-fi novel is a rip-roaringly good thought experiment
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Laser helps turn an electron into a coil of mass and charge
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Caroline Ellison aims to duck prison sentence for role in FTX collapse
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles
-
Technology1 week ago
‘From a toaster to a server’: UK startup promises 5x ‘speed up without changing a line of code’ as it plans to take on Nvidia, AMD in the generative AI battlefield
-
Football1 week ago
Football Focus: Martin Keown on Liverpool’s Alisson Becker
-
Business1 week ago
Eurosceptic Andrej Babiš eyes return to power in Czech Republic
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Rethinking space and time could let us do away with dark matter
-
MMA1 week ago
Conor McGregor challenges ‘woeful’ Belal Muhammad, tells Ilia Topuria it’s ‘on sight’
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement
-
News3 weeks ago
▶️ Hamas in the West Bank: Rising Support and Deadly Attacks You Might Not Know About
-
Business1 week ago
Should London’s tax exiles head for Spain, Italy . . . or Wales?
-
News3 weeks ago
▶️ Media Bias: How They Spin Attack on Hezbollah and Ignore the Reality
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Future of fusion: How the UK’s JET reactor paved the way for ITER
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
X-rays reveal half-billion-year-old insect ancestor
-
News3 weeks ago
Israel strikes Lebanese targets as Hizbollah chief warns of ‘red lines’ crossed
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
A new kind of experiment at the Large Hadron Collider could unravel quantum reality
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
A slight curve helps rocks make the biggest splash
-
News3 weeks ago
New investigation ordered into ‘doorstep murder’ of Alistair Wilson
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
UK spurns European invitation to join ITER nuclear fusion project
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Cardano founder to meet Argentina president Javier Milei
-
News2 weeks ago
Why Is Everyone Excited About These Smart Insoles?
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
Meet the world's first female male model | 7.30
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Robo-tuna reveals how foldable fins help the speedy fish manoeuvre
-
Technology2 weeks ago
Get ready for Meta Connect
-
Business3 weeks ago
JPMorgan in talks to take over Apple credit card from Goldman Sachs
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Bitcoin bulls target $64K BTC price hurdle as US stocks eye new record
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Best Exercises if You Want to Build a Great Physique
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Everything a Beginner Needs to Know About Squatting
-
News2 weeks ago
Four dead & 18 injured in horror mass shooting with victims ‘caught in crossfire’ as cops hunt multiple gunmen
-
Servers computers2 weeks ago
What are the benefits of Blade servers compared to rack servers?
-
Technology1 week ago
Quantum computers may work better when they ignore causality
-
Technology1 week ago
The best robot vacuum cleaners of 2024
-
Health & fitness1 week ago
The 7 lifestyle habits you can stop now for a slimmer face by next week
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Ethereum is a 'contrarian bet' into 2025, says Bitwise exec
-
Health & fitness3 weeks ago
The secret to a six pack – and how to keep your washboard abs in 2022
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Quantum time travel: The experiment to ‘send a particle into the past’
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Why we need to invoke philosophy to judge bizarre concepts in science
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Bitcoin miners steamrolled after electricity thefts, exchange ‘closure’ scam: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Dorsey’s ‘marketplace of algorithms’ could fix social media… so why hasn’t it?
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
DZ Bank partners with Boerse Stuttgart for crypto trading
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Low users, sex predators kill Korean metaverses, 3AC sues Terra: Asia Express
-
Politics2 weeks ago
UK consumer confidence falls sharply amid fears of ‘painful’ budget | Economics
-
Science & Environment2 weeks ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
3 Day Full Body Toning Workout for Women
-
Travel2 weeks ago
Delta signs codeshare agreement with SAS
-
Politics2 weeks ago
Hope, finally? Keir Starmer’s first conference in power – podcast | News
-
News2 weeks ago
US Newspapers Diluting Democratic Discourse with Political Bias
-
Sport1 week ago
Watch UFC star deliver ‘one of the most brutal knockouts ever’ that left opponent laid spark out on the canvas
-
Sport3 weeks ago
UFC Edmonton fight card revealed, including Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi headliner
-
Technology3 weeks ago
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Review: Depth and Reach
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
How one theory ties together everything we know about the universe
-
News3 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
Health & fitness3 weeks ago
The maps that could hold the secret to curing cancer
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Being in two places at once could make a quantum battery charge faster
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
Tiny magnet could help measure gravity on the quantum scale
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
A tale of two mysteries: ghostly neutrinos and the proton decay puzzle
-
Science & Environment3 weeks ago
How do you recycle a nuclear fusion reactor? We’re about to find out
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
RedStone integrates first oracle price feeds on TON blockchain
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Blockdaemon mulls 2026 IPO: Report
-
Politics3 weeks ago
‘Appalling’ rows over Sue Gray must stop, senior ministers say | Sue Gray
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Coinbase’s cbBTC surges to third-largest wrapped BTC token in just one week
-
MMA2 weeks ago
Rankings Show: Is Umar Nurmagomedov a lock to become UFC champion?
-
TV2 weeks ago
CNN TÜRK – 🔴 Canlı Yayın ᴴᴰ – Canlı TV izle
-
Technology3 weeks ago
The ‘superfood’ taking over fields in northern India
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Crypto scammers orchestrate massive hack on X but barely made $8K
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Decentraland X account hacked, phishing scam targets MANA airdrop
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Telegram bot Banana Gun’s users drained of over $1.9M
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
VonMises bought 60 CryptoPunks in a month before the price spiked: NFT Collector
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
SEC asks court for four months to produce documents for Coinbase
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
‘Silly’ to shade Ethereum, the ‘Microsoft of blockchains’ — Bitwise exec
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
Vitalik tells Ethereum L2s ‘Stage 1 or GTFO’ — Who makes the cut?
-
CryptoCurrency3 weeks ago
‘No matter how bad it gets, there’s a lot going on with NFTs’: 24 Hours of Art, NFT Creator
-
Business3 weeks ago
Thames Water seeks extension on debt terms to avoid renationalisation
-
Business3 weeks ago
How Labour donor’s largesse tarnished government’s squeaky clean image
-
News3 weeks ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
News2 weeks ago
The Project Censored Newsletter – May 2024
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
How Heat Affects Your Body During Exercise
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Keep Your Goals on Track This Season
-
Womens Workouts2 weeks ago
Which Squat Load Position is Right For You?
-
MMA1 week ago
Roberto Satoshi compares losses to Francis Ngannou’s boxing run as he finally defends RIZIN title
-
Business6 days ago
Ukraine faces its darkest hour
You must be logged in to post a comment Login